Windsor Downs against M9 road

By
Jessica Aquilina

It's the proposed highway that has Windsor Downs residents up in arms.

It's the proposed highway that has Windsor Downs residents up in arms.

While the Outer Sydney Orbital (M9) planned by the state government has the potential to introduce more jobs, more industry and reduce travel times, residents are less than enthusiastic about the new motorway.

Under the proposal, the highway could run from as far south as Wollondilly to Penrith, via Windsor and finish in the north-west and Hills district.

Transport for NSW said the proposed motorway was needed to support Sydney’s population which is forecast to grow from 4.3 million to 5.6 million people with an additional 625,000 jobs.

‘‘Greater western Sydney will be home to more than half of Sydney’s population,’’ a Transport for NSW spokesman said.

‘‘To support population and employment growth west of the M7 motorway, a north-south corridor is needed.’’

The state government has allocated $4.6 million in the state budget to identify and reserve the transport corridor.

The Transport for NSW spokesman said planning was already underway for the project, but the timing of construction was yet to be determined as were the cost and financing options.

‘‘Studies are under way to determine if the project will have any impact on communities in the local area,’’ he said.

President of Windsor Downs Home Owners Association Gerda Deryk, Tom Deryk, Graham Marles, Michael Caine, Peter Dawson, Greg Vincent and Brett Withers and his daughters are concerned the M9 orbital may be earmarked to go right near their housing estate. Picture: Anna Warr

Controversy over orbital plan

It’s isolation and it has the potential to impact adversely on the lifestyle amenity and land use activities in the Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury Mayor Kim Ford said Council welcomed the project.

‘‘Council has resolved to support the plan to reserve a road corridor for the M9 motorway in western Sydney and Council will seek dialogue with Penrith Council to lobby for appropriate corridor planning for the region,’’ Cr Ford said.

However, Greens candidate for Hawkesbury Danielle Wheeler said the proposed highway would have a massive negative impact on the critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland as well as on residents.

‘‘I think it’s outrageous the mayor wants to support this project when there is so little information about the impact,’’ she said.

‘‘More roads leads to more cars and more congestion and less bushland, farmland and lower quality of life for residents,’’ she said.

Concerned Windsor Downs resident Kay Vella said the proposed highway would have adverse impacts, not only on Windsor Downs residents, but on the rest of the Hawkesbury.

‘‘This is not a proposal,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s isolation and it has the potential to impact adversely on the lifestyle amenity and land use activities in the Hawkesbury.’’

Stephen Treloar of Windsor Downs Home Owners Association said the group was concerned about roadway development in the area but was cautious about rumours.

‘‘Our first response is to seek formal clarification as to the status of development proposals and examine them once available for review,’’ Dr Treloar said.

‘‘We are also mindful that a degree of hysteria is being generated for political purposes and not in good faith for the interests of Windsor Downs residents.

‘‘It is premature to form an action group to oppose development until such time as we know the facts.